Inside the box: Suns show positives in season-ending win

By Arizona Sports | April 14, 2011 at 4:50 amUPDATED: April 14, 2011 at 2:37 pm

After every Phoenix Suns game we’ll examine the
box score and provide you with instant analysis. So it’s
time to go Inside the Box for April 13, 2011: Suns 106, Spurs 103

While the 2010-11 season didn’t turn out well for the Phoenix Suns, the team’s season-ending win over the Spurs reminded us of some of the positives to come out of the season.

First, the franchise has finally found its center its been searching for since well forever.

Marcin Gortat closed out his season with a solid 21-point, 13-rebound effort against the Spurs.

Since being acquired from the Magic, Gortat has quickly become a fan favorite and media darling pushing Robin Lopez possibly completely out of the team’s plans going forward.

Jared Dudley contributed a solid 17 points and 8 rebounds in the team’s win over the Spurs.

Dudley has proven this season, with performances like tonight, that he will be a valuable building block in the team’s future.

He’s gritty, determined and willing to do whatever is needed to get the job done.

Phoenix has been lacking in these type of players in their history and Dudley will be a solid role player for future Suns teams.

Last, Channing Frye closed out his season with a respectable 17-point effort against the Spurs despite not shooting well, but he has probably been the team’s most improved player this season.

He’s gone from a three-point shooting specialist to an all around player with his biggest improvements coming on the defensive end and rebounding.

While the Phoenix Suns had a down year and the Steve Nash era nearing an end, fans can be hopeful for the future, when the team can acquire another star player, that a solid core of surrounding parts are already in place.